Quote: Coventry Warrior! "I dont want this topic to be all about Hansen when its about Tim Smith. But to take it back to Smith, I believe he is the player that can make Hansen look a far better attacking player than people think.
As has been mentioned earlier Hansen at times runs very clever and very good attacking lines. When Barrett was in the side he utilised this very well and put Hansen through the gap. An example of this is Hansen's try in the 31-30 playoff win at Odsal. Barrett had the quality to do that and since he has left no one really looks to do this, except Tim Smith.
There has been times this season when we have seen what Hansen is capable of in attack and another example of this is Bradford at home.
Whether Hansen wants to get involved more or wants to improve further, is another question but I dont think anyone can question his attitude or commitment. If we worked on this then Hansen could quite easily be like JJB.'"
I rememeber JJB being a very average player in his early days at Leeds and wondering how the hell he had got a place in their squad but as their team improved so did he to the point that he's become a huge player for them who sets the pace of games for them through his sheer energy and workrate.
The same as alot of Wigan youngsters that come through Hansen would improve playing in a better team with better players around him.
I worry about the development of somebody like Sam Tomkins tbh. If all he ever has to play in is an average team he'll struggle to become what he should be. At u21 level he's a superior player to Eastmond at Saints but i can see a time when Eastmond will leave him behind because he's going to be in a great side with a great pack laying a platform for him and protecting him whereas Sam looks to be on his own at times.